Planting and Caring for Cactus House Plants
Plants are beautiful. Even Cactus. There are many varieties of Cactus.
The word Cactus is a classification for the type of plant. The word
cactus is used like the word tree. We all know there are many, many
types of trees growing on our good green Earth. Same goes for cactuses.
There are many types. Some grow big some stay small. All are unique.
They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Small cactuses make a
great addition to any houseplant collection. They can be grown indoors
as houseplants. This article will show you how to create a cactus
collection in a wooden planter box.
The first thing you will
need is a wooden planter box. Make sure it has been refinished before
you use it. The wood should be sanded, stained and coated with
polyurethane so that it does not absorb moisture and rot. You planted
needs not be large. It also does not have to be deep.
Go
to a greenhouse or store that sells small cactus plants. My local
grocery store sells them. They are easy to find and are not expensive.
Choose 6 to 8 small cactus plants. They will come in little flowers
pots. If the little flower pots are plastic and not decorative consider
buying small ceramic or clay pots to replace them. Your cactus plants
will not be planted in the box they will be arranged in the box. They
will remain in their little flower pots so you want to be sure that they
are pretty.
Add a sandy soil to your new little clay or
ceramic flower pots. Use a spoon to make a hole in the center of each
filled pot. Gently place your fingers and hand around the base of the
planted cactus. Tip it upside down and shake gently to loosen the plant.
Remove the small cactus and carefully remove most of the old soil from
it. Plant it in the hole you made in the fresh soil then pat and press
the plant into place. Pack the dirt down around it's base. Repeat this
process for each cactus plant.
When you have finished
replanting use a damp cloth to wipe any dirt off of the outside and rim
of each flower pot. Place each little flower pot in the wooden planter
box. Give the plants a little bit of time to adjust. Wait 24 hours
before you water them. When you do water do not add the water directly
to soil. Mist the soil and mist the cactus itself. Too much moisture
will kill a cactus. They live in hot dry climates and in nature they
receive very little moisture. Cactuses do not need to be water daily. A
misting every other or every few days is sufficient.
